2 The Army Lawyer (JSSN ) Editor Captain David R. Getz,/.., ' The Army Lawyer is published monthly by The Judge Advocate General's School for the official use of Army lawyers in the performance of their legal responsibilities. The opinions expressed by the authors in the articles, however, do not necessarily reflect the view of The Judge Advocate General or the Department of the Army. Masculine or feminine pronouns appearing in this pamphlet refer to both genders unless the context indicates another use. The Army Lawyer welcomes articles on topics of interest to military lawyers. Articles should be typed doubled spaced and submitted to: Editor, The Army Lawyer, The Judge Advocate General's Schml, U.S.Army, Charlottesville. Virginia Footnotes, if included, should be typed double-spacedon a separate sheet. Articles should follow A Uniform System of Citation (14th ed. 1986) and the Uniform System of Military Citation (TJAGSA, Oct. 1984). Manuscripts will be returned only upon specific request. No compensation can be paid for articles. The Army Lawyer articles are indexed in the Index IO Legal Periodicals and the Index to US.Government Periodicals Individual paid subscriptions are available through the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C Issues may be cited as The A my Lawyer, [date], at Lpage number]. Second-class postage paid at Charlottesville,VA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:Send bddress changes tb The Judge Advocate General's School, U.S.Army, Attn: JAGS-DDL, Charlottesville, VA JOHN A. WICKHAM,Jr. General, United States Army Chief of Staff Official: R. L. DILWORTH Brigadier General, United States Army The Adjutant General, Distrlbutlon. Special. 2 SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM ,

3 \ DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICE OF THE JUOGE ADVOCATE GENERAL I WASHINGTON. DC I REPLY TO ATTENTION OF DAJA-LA 2 9 JUL 1986 SUBJECT: Comprehensive Legal Assistance - Policy Letter 86-8 STAFF AND COMMAND JUDGE ADVOCATES a\, 1. The Gander tragedy has caused us to review how well our soldiers managed their personal' affairs prior to deployment. We learned once again that we cannot assume all soldiers fit into a single mold. Many have divorced parents, some are separated from their spouses, others have common law marriages or illegitimate children. These differing circumstances raise many legal problems that must be anticipated and recognized by Legal Assistance Officers (LAO's). [ 2. Our goal in legal assistance is to service the whole person. LAO's should- l a. Remind soldiers to regularly review their personal affairs to ensure they are in proper order. 1P I b. Anticipate related legal needs. For example: when advising a soldier on a separation agreement, LAO's should anticipate that the soldier may want to change beneficiaries. LAO's should provide advice on the need to update a will, changesdd Form 93 (Record of Emergency Data) and SGLI election, revoke powers of attorney, retitle property, etc. 3. Preventive law briefings should include advice on- a. The relationship of wills and powers of attorney to other important legal documents and the need to ensure they are consistent with the soldier's intent. b. Potential problems with the SGLI "by law" designation, including prob lems with divorced parents, illegitimate children, separations, and common law spouses. c. Selecting correct death gratuity and unpaid pay and allowance options and the problems caused by improper completion of OD Form 93. HUGH R. OVERHOLT Major General, USA The Judge Advocate General SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM 27-5(

4 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFflCE OF THE JUbGE AOVOCATE GENERAL WASHINGTON. DC 20110~2200 ATTENTION OF DAJA-LA 8 JUL 1986 SUBJECT: Legal Assistance for Reserve Component Personnel - Policy Letter 86-9 STAFF AND COMMAND JUDGE ADVOCATES 1. This letter reemphasfzes and expands the policy found in TJAG Policy Letter 84-1, 16 Feb 84 (The Army Lawver, March 1984). which authorizes Reserve'Component (RC) judge advocates (JA's) designated as Legal Assfstance Officers to render legal assistance to RC soldiers serving on Annual Training or Active Duty far Training for periods of 29 days or less and during Inactive Duty for Training. 2. Premobilization legal counseling of RC soldiers is a requirement imposed by the FORSCOM Mobi 1ization Deployment System (FOMDEK). Legal* assistance by RC JA's that prepares RC soldiers for mobilization should be provided to the maximum extent that resources permit without detracting from unit preparedness Reserve Component soldiers who are on orders for OCONUS training are authorized mobilization legal assistance by actlve duty or RC. JA's. This exception to the policy set forth in AR 27-3, para 1-8; is established because of the recognition of the additional factors Inherent in overseas duty,. HUGH R. 0 ERIHOLT Major General, USA The Judge Advocate 6eneral 4 SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM

5 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL WASHINGTON, D.C DAJA- ZB 27 June 1986 MEMORANDUM FOR STAFF AND COMMAND JUDGE ADVOCATES DIVISION/OFFICE/FOA CHIEFS, OTJAG SUBJECT: Curriculum Review 1. The Judge Advocate General's School is responsible for educating and training judge advocate officers at all levels, from the Basic Course through the Graduate Course and the various continuing legal education courses that are offered each year. While the School is in frequent contact with staff judge advocate offices in the field and with the various offices and divisions of the Office of The Judge Advocate General (OTJAG) to help keep the curriculum current, occasionally new issues arise that need to be addressed in the School's courses of study. 2. The Assistant Judge Advocate General oversees the operations of the School. As part of that function, I intend to periodically review the curriculum of the var'ious courses and discuss trends, new subjects, and the need for changes in emphasis with the Commandant and the Director of Academics. To assist in that endeavor, I solicit your ideas and thoughts concerning new areas that should be taught or emphasized in any part of the School curriculum. Staff judge advocates should submit ideas or suggestions through their MACOM SJA to the Commandant. Field operating agencies and OTJAG offices and divisions should submit their ideas to me through their supervising general officer. 3. There is no suspense date for submissions and no requirement that any suggestions be submitted. Instead, this is part of an ongoing process to ensure that our School's curr' rema ins current and helps provide the best possible train%nd education. When you have an idea or suggestion, please submit it for consideration. WILLIAM K. SUTER Major General, USA The Assistant Judge Advocate General SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM

6 Veterans Administration Benefits and Tort Claims Against the Military Captain E. Douglas Bradshaw, Jr., USAR Individual Mobilization Augmentee, US.Army Claims Service, Fort Meade, Maryland c A tort claim for personal injury or wrongful death against the military, filed either under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) or the Military Claims Act, may be affected by activities of the Veterans Administration FA), which provides both monetary and medical benefits and services to veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. Whenever the claimant (or claimant s decedent) is an active duty soldier or veteran, the VA may provide the tort claims investigator assistance such as furnishing evidence regarding the claimant s lifestyle, providing alternate sources of medical care or monetary compensation pending resolution of the claim, and documenting non-collateral source income against which the government is entitled to set off damages. Knowledge of the wide range of VA benefits available and their application to tort claims allows the claims investigator to ensure the interests of the United States are protected while fairness to the claimant is preserved. This article will survey the range of VA benefits and information available and their application to tort claims against the United States. Organization of the VA The Veterans Administration, the largest independent agency in the Federal government, is divided into three departments. The smallest of the three, the Department of Memorial Affairs, operates the National Cemetery System. The Department was originally established under the Army in 1862 to provide burial grounds in or near the battlefields or POW camps in the Civil War. With the enactment of Pub. L. No (Sept. 1, 1973), 82 national cemeteries were transferred to the VA, which brought the total number of cemeteries under VA jurisdiction to 103. Since then, the number has grown to 110. The largest element in the VA, the Department of Medicine and Surgery, operates 172 medical centers, 226 outpatient clinics, 100 nursing home units, and 16 domiciliaries. In fiscal year 1984, the Department treated 1.3 million inpatients and trained 100,000 health care professionals. 6 The third major element of the VA is the Department of Veterans Benefits. This Department administers the VA s programs of financial assistance to veterans, their dependents, and survivors. These programs include disability or death compensation, disability or death pension, burial benefits, educational assistance (the GI Bill ), vocational rehabilitation benefits, home loan benefits, and insurance coverage (e.g., SGLI). The Department has fifty-eight regional offices, with at least one in each state, the District of Columbia, San Juan, and Manila. Monetary Benefits Compensation for Service-Connected Disabilities and Deaths The primary periodic monetary benefits payable to veterans, their dependents, or survivors for disability or death are compensation and pension. Disability compensation is a monthly payment for a service-connected disability designed to compensate a veteran for the average loss of earning capacity due to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service. Payments are based upon the degree or severity of disability. The amount of compensation ranges from $68 per month for a 10% disability to $1,335 per month when the veteran is 100% disabled. Additional allowances are paid for dependents, and special monthly compensation is payable for certain specified, severe disabilities. As a result, a severely injured, e.g., quadriplegic, veteran whose disabilities are serviceannected may receive up to $3,812 in monthly compensation from the VA. Io In addition to monthly disability compensation, veterans with certain service-connected disabilities are entitled to a one-time payment of up to $5,000 toward the purchase of a specially adapted vehicle, an annual clothing allowance of $360, I2 and a grant of not more than $35,500 for building, buying, or remodeling a specially adapted home. *This article is based on a paper submitted in satisfactionof the Legal Research and Writing Program of the Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Correspondence Course. 28 U.S.C. $4 1346(b), (1982). 10 U.S.C. J 2733 (1982). VA 1984 Annual Report vi. Id. Id. at xvii. VA domiciliaries provide medical and other professional care for eligible ambulatory veterans who are disabled by age, disease, or injury and are in need of care but do not require hospitalization or the skilled services of a nursing home. Id. at Health care professionals in training included, among others, medical and dental residents and students, and students in nursing, social work, and psychology. ~d. at xv, xvii. 38 U.S.C. $ lol(13) (1982 and Supp. I 1983). 938 U.S.C (1982), as amended by the Veterans Compensation Rate Increase and Job Training Amendments of 19E5, Pub. L. No , 1986 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News (99 Stat.) lo Id. 38 U.S.C. $ (1982 and Supp. I.1983). *38 U.S.C (1982 and Supp. I 1983). 38 U.S.C (1982 and Supp. I 1983). 6 SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM /F

7 ~~ ~ Death compensation, known as Disability and Indemnity is paid to eligible survivors (spouse, children, dependent parents) of a veteran who dies of a service-connected disability or while on hctive duty also payable to the surviving spouse of a vet from any cause after having been continqously rated 100 percent disabled from service-connected disabilities for a specified period, usually ten y&. The monthly amount of DIC paid to a surviving spouse is based upon the veteran s highest tdilitary grade while in service. Current rates range from $491 spouse of an E-1, to $1,345 payable to the spbuse of a veteran who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the &my or Air Force, Chief of Naval Operations, or Commandant of the Marine Corps or Coast Guard. l6 Additional allowances are available if there are children or dependent parents, or if the spouse is either housebound or in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. Pension for Nonservice-Connected Disabilities and Deaths While compensation denotes payments for service-connected disabilities or deaths, pension refers to payments for nonservice-connected disabilities or deaths. Disability pension is payable to a veteran of a period of war who is permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected conditions. Unlike compensation, pension is need based. The current pension law provides pensioners with payments equal to the difference between the veteran s income from all sources and an income standard indexed to social security increases. l9 Death pension is paid to needy sumvors of a veteran of a period of war who died from a nonservice-connectedcondition. There are income standards and net worth limitations that may reduce or eliminate death pension. A surviving spouse who isl in a nursing home, in need of aid or attendance of another person, or who is permanently housebound may be entitled to increased pension or be subject to higher income limitations. 2o Compensation for a Nonservice-Connected Disability or Death When a veteran undergoes treatment for a nonserviceconnected disability in a VA medical facility and sustains additional disability or dies as a result of that treatment, compensation may be paid as if such disability, aggravation, or death were service-connected. The regulations promulgated pursuant to the statute limit its applicability to those instances where the disability or death proximately resulted through carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instances of indicated fault on the part of the VA, or in the event of an accident, defined as an unforeseen, untoward event. 22 Section 351 also fequires that, in the event of a recovery under the Federal Tort Claims Act for the same disability or death, the payment of disability compensation or DIC is suspended until the amount of the tort award, either settlement or judgment, is recouped. As will be discussed infra, section 351 benefits may come into play in a military tort claim because the VA has awarded compensation for disabilities incurred as a result of military medical care furnished to a veteran hospitalized in a military medical treatment facility as a VA beneficiary. Medical Benefits Hospitalization Pursuant to a recent statutory revision of VA health care eligibility, 23 the Administrator of Veterans Affairs shall furnish needed hospital care to nine groups of veterans. These Category A veterans range from those with service-connected disabilities to nonservice-connected veterans who are unable to defray the costs of care, defined as veterans with income of S15,OOO or less if single, and %18,ooO or less if married, plus %1,O00for each dependent. A veteran who is unable to qualify for Category A but whose income does pot exceed $20,000 if single, or $25,000 if married, plus %l,ooo for each dependent, may receive costfree VA care as a Category B veteran to the extent resources and facilities are available. A veteran who meets neither the Category A nor the Category B criteria may, nevertheless, receive VA hospital care to the extent of available resources and facilities if the veteran agrees to make a copayment to the VA of approximately $492 for the first ninety days of care. Nursing Home Care Eligibility for admission or transfer to a VA Nursing Home Care Unit is similar to that for hospitalization. Direct admission or transfer to a private nursing home at VA expense is much more limited and usually may not exceed a period of six months. 24 Credit for VA Monetary Benefits Under the FTCA Legal Authority Early in the history of the FTCA, the Supreme Court was called upon to decide whether the injury or death of a service member was actionable under the Act. In Brooks v. l4 38 U.S.C. $8 101(14), 41qa) (1982 and Supp. I 1983). l5 38 U.S.C. 0 41O(b) (1982 and Supp. I 1983). l6 38 U.S.C. $ 41 1 (1982), as amended by the Veterans Compensation Rate Ihcrease and lob Training Amendments of 1985, Pub. L. No , 1986 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News (99 Stat.) I Id. I* 38 U.S.C. $8 101(15), 521 (1982 and Supp. I 1983). l9 38 U.S.C. $ 3112 (1982 and Supp. I 1983) U.S.C. $ (1982 and Supp. I 1983) U.S.C (1982). 38 C.F.R (c)(3) (1985) U.S.C ,622 (1982), us umended by the Veterans Health Care Amendments of 1986, Pub. L. No , 1986 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News (99 Stat.) U.S.C. $ 620 (1982 and Supp. I 1983). SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER 4 DA PAM

8 United States, 25 the court permitted suits for personal injnries to a soldier, Welker Brooks, and the wrongful death of his brother, Arthur, because the injuries and death were not incident to their military service. The surviving brother was receiving VA disability compensation for the injuries that were the subject of his suit and the mother of the deceased soldier received a six months pay death gratuity. The Court, finding in the FTCA no indication that Congress meant the United States to pay twice for the same injury, reasoned that the amount payable under servicemen s benefit laws should... be deducted, or taken into consideration [in a] judgment under the Tort Claims Act. 26 On remand, the Fourth Circuit found it clear that the award should be diminished by the amount which [plaintiff] has received or is to receive from the Government by way of disability benefits. 27 The Supreme Court later cited the Fourth Circuit s Brooks decision with approval in United States v. Brown, 28 where it held in the,case of a veteran injured by malpractice in a VA hospital, that the receipt of disability payments under the Veterans Act was not an election of remedies and did not preclude recovery under the Tort Claims Act but only reduced the amount of any judgment under the latter Act. 29 Application to Tort Claims Against the Military Two cases are of particular interest to the military. In O Keefe v. United States, 3O the veteranhilitary retiree had waived retirement to receive VA compensation. A credit was allowed only for past and future disability benefits in excess of the amount that would have been received as retirement pay but for the waiver. O Keefe is important because military medical malpractice claims frequently involve military retirees. The district court in Johnson v. United States 31 awarded $3,666, to an active duty soldier for injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. It then subtracted past and future VA benefits from the award, calculated at over $1.4 million. The award was then further reduced by twenty-five percent for plaintiffs comparative negligence. On appeal, the government successfully argued that the reduction for comparative negligence should have been accomplished first; otherwise, the United States would be paying 85% of plaintiffs damages instead of the 75% it owed. Both O Keefe and Johnson are strongly recommended reading for any claims investigator trying to understand credits for VA benefits. The court s calculations are set out in the opinions, aiding the mathematically disabled claims investigator or judge advocate. The; potential for a government crkdit against tort damages exists whenever the claimant or claimant s decedent is a veteran. The military claims investigator should, therefore, always determine whether the claimant is a veteran and, if so, whether he or she has any service-cobnected disabilities that may have been aggravated by the injuries giving rise to the tort claim. In a catastrophic injury case, the claimant-veteran with no service;connected disabilities may be drawing VA pension for permanent F d total disability. The next step is to contact the,va to verify and document the credit. This may be done either through the VA District Counsels, most of whom are located in the VA Regional Offices, or through the US. Ariny Claims Service.. Caveats The rule that the government may claim a credit against tort damages for VA monetary benefits has exceptions. Some courts have held that where the plaintiff makes no claim (or fails to carry the plaintiffs burden or proof) for recovery of lost earnings or earning capacity, VA benefits are not deductible from the tort award. Thus, the deduction was not permitted in Schales v. United States, 32 where the plaintiff-widow was in receipt of death pension, and there. was no claim of lost financial support as a result of her unemployed husband s death, Similarly, in Pike v. United States, 33 the court found no danger of double recovery as a result of receipt of DIC payments by the children of a deceased veteran, even though it upheld the district court s awards of $25,000 for the present value of prospective net accumulations and another $25,000 for the children s loss of love, society, and companionship of their father. The court reasoned that the avoidance of duplicate recovery was accomplished by the district court s refusal to award dam ages for loss of support, for which DIC is designed to compensate. Another basis for denial of a credit arises when the VA benefit is reduced or eliminated by the receipt of the FTCA award. Where, for example, the VA benefit is a pension, a court s refusal to allow a credit, at least as to future pension payments, is sound because the payment of a large tort award increases the income of the plaintiff and renders the plaintiff ineligible for future payments until his or her total -, US.49 (1949). 261d. at United States v. Brooks, 176 F.2d 482, 484 (4th Cir. 1949). 348 U.S. 110, 111 (1954). 291d.at 113. Other cases recognizing the government s right to receive a credit for VA benefits include Kubrick v. United States, 581 F.2d 1092 (3d Cir. 1978). rev d on other grounds, 444 U.S. 111 (1979). where credit was allowed for past section 351 benefits estimated at S50,OOO and future benefits would be administratively offset by VA under the statute; Steckler v. United States, 549 U.S. 1372, 137Ei-79 (10th Cir. 1977, where the court deducted VA benefits from an award but found social security payments a collateral source as to amounts contributed by the worker and employer; Mosley v. United States, 538 F.2d 555, 561 (4th Cir. 1976), where the court allowed a credit for widow s and children s future survivor benefits; Christopher v. United States, 237 F. Supp. 787, 799 (E.D. Pa. 1965), where the court emphasized that in making our award proper weight was given to the possible future VA benefits accruing to the plaintiff and our judgment was reduced accordingly ; and United States v. Gray, 199 F.2d 239, 244 (10th Cir. 1952), where a tort award was reduced by the aggregate of the benefits already paid and by payments to be made in the future. In Smith v. United States, 437 F. Supp (E.D.Pa. 1977), ofd, 587 F.2d 1013 (3d Cir. 1978), the veteran was receiving VA compensation before his suicide. His widow received DIC for his service-connected death. The court found damages limited to the difference in VA benefits payable before and after death plus funeral expenses. 490 F. Supp. 33 (W.D.Okla. 1980). 510 F. Supp (D. Mont. 1981), ofd in port, 704 F.2d 1431 (9th Cir. 1983). 488 F. Supp. 33 (E.D. Ark. 1980). ) 652 F.2d 31 (9th Cir. 1981). 8 SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM F

9 income falls below the index. 34 This rationale was the basis for the court s refusal of a deduction for future VA disability pension benefits in Aretz v. United States. 3 The disallowance of a credit is less understandable in a situation like Pike, where the compensation is payable for the same injury or death, and will continue despite the tort judgment. It does not seem fair for the government to pay twice for the same injury or death, even though disability compensation is based upon average loss of earning capacity. 36 Credit for VA Medical Benefits The courts have been loathe to refuse a veteranjplaintiff damages for future medical care even though double compensation could result where the veteran is eligible for and may decide to choose VA medical treatment.37 The primary importance of the VA medical care system to the military claims investigator is that it may be a source of care not otherwise available. For example, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury care, or nursing home care may be available to the claimant pending investigation and resolution of the claim. In the rare situation where section 351 benefits are awarded to a veteran who was injured through malpractice at a military hospital furnishing care on behalf of the VA, payment of section 35 1 compensation is a basis for VA medical care eligibility. The eligibility will be lost, however, upon settlement of or judgment on the tort claim unless the settlement or judgment provides otherwise. 38 Thus, in the section 351 situation, eligibility for VA medical care can be made part of the claims settlement, in which case the need for payment of damages for private medical expenses would be obviated. This bargained-for VA eligibility has been included in at least one Army administrative settlement. 39 d Credits-VA Records as an Information Source Whether or not a basis is present for claiming a credit for VA benefits, the military claims investigator should examine a claimant s VA records for whatever useful information they may contain. Typically, the file will include the veteran s original military outpatient record, disability claims and examinations, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, children s birth certificates, income and net worth statements, and correspondence between the veteran and the VA. These records are subject to federal conlidentiality statutes, however, and the written consent of the veteran is required for disclosure of much of the information contained therein. 4o Conclusion The array of benefits available to veterans and their dependents can often have an impact on FTCA or Military Claims Act claims that is favorable to the government. It is up to the military claims investigator to educate himself or herself about the benefits, document them, and then educate the claimant or claimant s attorney so that, where appropriate, the benefits can be used to prevent a double recovery from the United States.?See supra text accompanying notes F. Supp. 397 (S.D.Ga. 1978). afd, 604 F.M 417 (5th Cir. 1979). reh g granted. 616 F.2d 254 (5th Cir.), certified fo Georgia Supreme Court, 635 F.2d 485 (5th Cir. 1980), afd and remanded, 660 F.2d 531 (5th Cir. 1981) U.S.C (1982 and Supp. I 1983). 37 Feeley v. United States, 337 F.2d 924 (3d. Cir. 1964) U.S.C (a)(3)( 3)(1982 and Supp. I 2983). 39 Administrative Claim of Keiji Morikami (1985). The nonservice-connected veteran was injured in a fall from a porch at an Army Medical Center where he was hospitalized as a VA beneficiary. The VA awarded section 351 benefits and the veteran Hed a tort claim with the Army. A structured settlement was negotiated by U.S. Army Claims Service with assistance from VA s office of General Counsel, including a stipulation that, even though the veteran s 351 compensation would be suspended as a result of the tort award, his eligibility for VA medical care would continue. 4oThe VA s records confidentiality statute, 38 U.S.C (1982),permits disclosure of records when required by any department or other agency of the United States Government. 38 U.S.C. Q (3) (1982). The statute requires, however, that any disclosures be made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C a (1982). See 38 U.S.C u) (1982); Doe v. DiGenova, 779 F.2d Cir. 1985). The Privacy Act permits disclosures for a routine use, 5 U.S.C. 0 (3) (1982), and one of the VA s published routine uses allows disclosure of information contained in VA medical records to federal agencies in connection with review of tort claims under the FTCA (but not the Military Claims Act). Routine Use 17, 24 VA 136, Patient Medical Records-VA, Privacy Act Issuances, 1984 amp., Vol. V, at 713. There is as yet no similar routine use for disclosvre of information from VA claims folders, except that disclosure of the amount of pension, compensation, DIC, retirement pay, or subsistence allowance may be made to any person who applies for such information. Routine Use 18, 58 VA 21/22/28, Compensation, Pension, and Education and Rehabilitation Records-VA, Privacy Act Issuances, 1984 Comp., Vol. V, at 739. A routine use is being considered for promulgation to allow disclosure of information contained in claims folders that is relevant to assessment of an administrative tori claim upon receipt of a request from an agency investigating the claim or potential claim. Routine uses do not permit disclosure of drug, alcohol, or sickle cell anemia treatment records, however. An even more restrictive confidentiality statute, 38 U.S.C. fi 4132 (1982), applies to records of treatment, training, education, rehabilitation, or research relating to drug abuse, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or sickle cell anemia. A specially detailed written consent of the patient is prescribed in 42 C.F.R (1985). SEPTEMBER 1986 THE ARMY LAWYER DA PAM

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